Brussels ETO Supports Hong Kong Tech Start-ups Showcase Innovations at VivaTech 2026 under Economic and Trade Express Initiative

Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 under Economic and Trade Express Initiative

As a flagship initiative under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) joins hands with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) to host a series of events to support Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the business opportunities in Europe during VivaTech 2026, the largest startup and technology event in Europe, which takes place in Paris, France from June 17 to 20 (Paris time).

As announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address, the new functional ETE platform is launched to enable overseas Economic and Trade Offices, HKTDC, and InvestHK to enhance their work on trade and investment promotion with greater synergy. One key highlight under ETE is to provide one-stop support services by Hong Kong's overseas trade and investment promotion network to facilitate business exchanges between Hong Kong and overseas markets.

Speaking at a thematic seminar and networking reception titled "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" on June 19, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, welcomed the Hong Kong partners and start-ups participating in the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 as a flagship initiative enabled by ETE, and highlighted Hong Kong's strategy to leverage its unique strengths to build a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

"Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem brings together four powerful advantages: top-tier research and talent, deep pools of global capital, unparalleled access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area innovation cluster, and strong connectivity to global markets, providing businesses with a comprehensive platform to innovate, scale up and expand into the Asian and global markets." Ms Yung said.

Ms Yung also shared with the audiences from both Hong Kong and Europe, the latest development of the Northern Metropolis, the innovation frontier of Hong Kong, including the vast opportunities that the development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop and the adjacent San Tin Technopole would bring about.

In addition to the event on June 19, Ms Yung also addressed the audiences at a networking reception on June 18, namely "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity". Leveraging the ETE initiative, Brussels ETO, HKTDC and InvestHK also jointly organised a series of other promotional and networking events to provide targeted support to the participating Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the local market, including pitching sessions, thematic seminars, and other networking activities.

This year, the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion features 24 Hong Kong startups, showcasing innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology, sustainability, and climate technology. Key supporting and participating organisations include Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Cyberport.

As Europe's largest event dedicated to startups and technology, VivaTech 2026 celebrates its 10th edition this year. The event is expected to attract over 180 000 visitors, 14 000 startups, and 3 600 investors from around the world. Brussels ETO has been supporting the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion of VivaTech since 2024 to promote the opportunities of Hong Kong's innovation and technology sectors.

Photo shows representatives of Hong Kong start-ups in front of the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, delivers remarks at a thematic seminar titled "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" in Paris, France on June 19 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows (from left to right) the Lead Consultant (Paris) of InvestHK, Mr Laurent Sansoucy; the Director of Laputa Eco-Construction Material Co., Ltd, Mr Dixon Chan; the Head of Electronics and AI, Office of Knowledge Transfer, HKUST, Dr Jacob Mok; the Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation of PolyU, Professor Christopher Chao; the Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director, France, Iberia and Benelux of HKTDC, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chief Innovation Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Yong-hai Du; Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels Mr Kasper Ng; the CEO of Robocore Technology, Mr Roy Lim, and the Founder and CEO of Formwork IO, Mr Antonio Ng, at the seminar "Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong" during Vivatech 2026 in Paris, France on June 19 (Paris time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows (from left to right) the Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Christopher Chao; the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director, France, Iberia and Benelux of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chairman of La French Tech Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Mr Emmanuel Carcassonne, and the Partner of LPA Law LLP, Mr Nicolas Vanderchmitt, at the networking reception "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity" in Paris, France on June 18 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 showcases innovations by 24 Hong Kong start-ups in artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology, sustainability, and climate technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, delivers remarks at a networking reception "Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity" in Paris, France on June 18 (Paris time) during VivaTech 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 1) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.

In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:

• Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
• Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
• Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
• Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
• Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.

In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:

• Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
• The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
• Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.

The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.

Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:

• Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.

Source: AI-found images